New community football facility for Leeds
Grassroots sport in Leeds received a huge boost in October with the unveiling of the Bodington Football Hub, a new facility for the community of Leeds.
Located at Sports Park Bodington – part of the University of Leeds – the new Hub is built in partnership with the Football Foundation and includes three full-size, artificial 3G floodlit football pitches, car parking and a pavilion with changing facilities and a café.
It has been made possible thanks to a £4.3m grant from the Football Foundation which is a charity supported by the Premier League, the Football Association and the Government.
The result of partnership working between the University, the Football Foundation, West Riding County FA, and Leeds City Council, the Hub progresses the development of four sites in Leeds that together will provide 13 new full-size pitches, responding to the need for sporting facilities in and around the city.
David Oldroyd, Interim Deputy Director of Development said:
“This was a major project for the Estates team working with partners across the university and elsewhere. The Hub is a key facility for the community, and the design of the pavilion – which includes communal seating and inspiring artwork – reflects that.”
The University already partners extensively with community clubs and schools through its volunteering programme, which sees students coaching and officiating locally.
Ella Williams, Activities & Opportunities Officer, Leeds University Union (LUU) said:
“LUU is here to help students love their time at Leeds, and for me that includes being part of a wider community in the city and the region.”
“While the Hub will host many community clubs, I know that our own footballers are excited about having access to this state-of-the-art facility and about the University and the Football Foundation contributing to local sport in this way.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, added:
“This is a brilliant example of how investment from our partners, the Premier League, The FA, Government and Sport England improves grassroots facilities across the country.”
